CM Storm Quickfire XT Mechanical Keyboard Review

PAGE INDEX

Testing & Results

Testing Methodology

Testing peripherals like the Quickfire XT are quite simply a matter of using them in the real world for an extended amount of time. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the product they are no standardized test that can be done but rather it is a matter of personal opinion from the time spent using the product. In order to analyze the qualities of the Quickfire XT I focused on looking at the many different realms of work and play that the Quickfire XT is expected to be subjected to. This means looking at both its qualities as a gaming keyboard, but more importantly its qualities as a method of input for work related projects.

Test System

Motherboard: MSI P67-GD65

System Memory: G.Skill Ares 1866MHz 2 x 8GB kit

Processor: Core i5 2500k 3.3GHz @ 4.7GHz

Audio: Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty

Video: GTX 690

Disk Drive 1: 240GB Mushkin Enhanced Chronos

Optical Drive: DVD Drive

Enclosure: Silverstone Raven RV02-EW

PSU: Cooler Master SilentPro 1000w

Monitor: Asus 27.5″ 1920 x 1200

Operating System: Windows 8 x64 Profesional

Results

As soon as I received the QuickFire XT I started using it to play the massively multiplayer shooter Planetside 2. Using the QuickFire XT for hours on end proved to be an enjoyable experience. I found no problems, quickly navigating various menus quickly and while avoiding the enemy’s bullets.

During our sessions, I need to quickly go from killing the enemy to guiding our platoon with a map, then back to marking enemies on the battlefield for our platoon to destroy, and planting beacons to allow my squad mates to spawn. The tactile nature of the Cherry MX Blue switches enabled me to be sure of every key press I made, giving me the confidence to quickly send many commands at once.

Typing on the QuickFire XT for work proved to be equally enjoyable with the click and bump of the Cherry MX Blue switches. While working on projects I found that the full sized QuickFire XT was almost perfect, allowing for both accuracy and speed in my work. The Cherry MX Blue switches are almost hypnotic to type on, with the constant clicking and clacking lulling me into a trance.